Continuous Heavy Traffic Expected at Land Checkpoints with the Upcoming Public Holidays and Festivals
With the upcoming public holidays and festivals (Good Friday, Qing Ming Festival and Hari Raya Puasa), the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) expects very heavy traffic at both Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints in the lead-up to and during the period from Thursday, 28 March to Sunday, 14 April 2024.
2. Traveller volume at the land checkpoints has been increasing since border reopening and has far surpassed pre-Covid levels. During the recent March school holidays (8 to 18 March 2024), more than 5.1 million travellers crossed Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints. ICA also saw the highest recorded number of travellers, close to half a million travellers, crossing the land checkpoints on 15 March 2024 (Friday). During the peak periods, travellers departing by car had to wait up to three hours before they were cleared through immigration, due to traffic tailback from Malaysia.
3. Travellers are thus advised to factor in additional waiting time. We seek their understanding and cooperation to be patient, observe traffic rules, maintain lane discipline, and cooperate with ICA officers.
Things to note for a smoother journey
For all travellers
- Ensure that your passport has a remaining validity of at least six months.
- Singapore Permanent Residents who have renewed their passport should ensure that their Re-Entry Permit has been transferred to the new passport.
- Long-Term Pass holders should notify ICA or the Ministry of Manpower of any change in their passport particulars before re-entering Singapore.
- Do not bring in prohibited or controlled items[1].
For all motorists
- Check the traffic situation at the land checkpoints before embarking on your journey[2].
- Refrain from queue cutting as it can cause severe congestion and compromise the safety of other motorists. Errant motorists caught queue cutting will be turned away and made to re-queue.
- Those travelling by car are encouraged to use QR codes in lieu of passports for faster and more convenient immigration clearance. More information can be found on ICA’s website.
For drivers of foreign vehicles
- Ensure that your vehicle’s Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) is valid. Drivers who do not have a valid Autopass card, the VEP approval email from LTA or valid insurance will be turned back. More details on VEP application can be found on LTA One Motoring website.
- Settle any outstanding fines you may have with the respective government agencies. Those with outstanding fines may be denied entry into Singapore[3].
IMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY
25 MARCH 2024
[1] Travellers can visit the ICA website for the list of prohibited, controlled and dutiable items. Those who bring in such items would need to proactively declare them to our officers before being checked.
[2] Traffic updates at the land checkpoints can be found on the Land Transport Authority (LTA)’s One Motoring Website; Expressway Motoring & Advisory System installed along the BKE and AYE; ICA’s Facebook and X (former Twitter) accounts and local radio broadcasts (One 91.3, Kiss92, Hao 96.3, UFM 100.3).
[3] The available modes of payment for fines are listed below.
| PayNow | AXS kiosks, AXS website, AXS mobile app | Respective agencies’ customer service counters |
| SingPost Post Offices | E-services on respective agencies’ websites |
Motorists who wish to seek clarification on their offences may contact the respective agencies. The agencies include the Singapore Police Force (Traffic Police), Housing and Development Board, Land Transport Authority, National Environment Agency, and Urban Redevelopment Authority.